No power outages until Monday: PUCSL
27 January 2022 05:02 pm
After analysing the data available on the demand and supply of electricity, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that there is no need to have scheduled power cuts until next Monday (31).
PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said the decision was taken following a discussion held at the department this evening.
Mr. Ratnayake requested all consumers to use electricity sparingly as there will be a minor shortage of power of up to 300 megawatts, which will not be enough during the peak hours tomorrow from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
However, the PUCSL had decided not to approve power cuts until Monday.
He said the whole country should go into an energy-saving mode to save electricity for an uninterrupted power supply.
Earlier, the decision was taken by the PUCSL not to impose power cuts until Thursday (27), as sufficient fuel had been received and the situation would be reconsidered depending on the availability of fuel after yesterday, Mr. Ratnayake said.
However, after having received adequate fuel for ten days by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and subsequent to resuming operations of the Norochcholai coal power plant by January 30, there would be no need for power cuts in the future, he said.
The power supply is not sufficient to meet the demand. As a result, if consumers can adopt self-control when using electricity, it will help ensure a continuous supply even in emergency situations, he said.
Therefore, the PUCSL is to issue recommendations to all institutions and consumers to use power sparingly, Mr. Ratnayake further added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)